Andy Carroll a number nine in progress

Mar 4 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

In an exclusive interview Alan Shearer assesses the progress of the man many believe to be the heir to his throne at Newcastle United. Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards reports

THERE is nobody better equipped to talk about what it takes to realise your potential than the person you have always aspired to be.

As someone who based his game on Alan Shearer, Andy Carroll would do well to listen to whatever advice the former Newcastle United captain has for him. Carroll has arguably been the biggest success story of the season for Newcastle United, yet he has also managed to be one of its biggest concerns.

Having established himself as one of the most exciting young players in the country with performances of growing maturity and authority on the pitch, Carroll has found himself in trouble with the authorities for his behaviour off it.

The 20-year-old has been charged with causing Actual Bodily Harm and will be tried at Crown Court next month following an incident at the Blu Bambu nightclub in Newcastle’s Bigg Market before Christmas. Having worked with him last season during his brief stint as manager, Shearer has had a unique insight into the mind of a player who, he believes, stands at a crossroads in his career.

“I’ve been very impressed with him, he has done really well,” said Shearer (pictured right), who tried his best to impart whatever knowledge he could on the training ground last season.

“He has held the ball up, he has won headers and he has scored goals. Whether you like it or not, you can play brilliantly around the pitch, but if you don’t score goals as a centre forward that’s no good.

“That is what you are judged on, scoring goals, that is what you are in the team to do. He has been prolific in recent weeks and it’s great to see.